The Peace Talks Are On

Long-term U.s. Interests Lie With A Stable Mideast. The Clinton Administration Should Step Up Pressure On All Sides To Cooperate.

April 22, 1993|By BROWN

Mere days after the failure of the next round of Middle East peace talks to materialize as planned, the discussions appear to be on track for next week. That's a welcome development.

Resolving the disputes of the region should rank among the most important of U.S. foreign policy goals. The United States' long-term interests lie with a stable Middle East.

At the very least, stability would be enhanced by the absence of a threat of war, the recognition and respect of Israel's right to exist by all countries, the return of land seized from the Arabs in war and a homeland for Palestinians.

Getting from here to there, realistically, won't happen quickly. But with diligence by the United States - and more forcefulness in its role as facilitator of the peace talks - more progress on substantive issues could occur.

The Clinton administration should step up the pressure on all sides to cooperate and compromise.

So far, the discussions have been dominated by procedural matters that, though not insignificant, have taken far too much time. What's important now is to move on to the various issues that affect the relations between Israel and the Arab states individually and collectively.

Although the issue of some 400 Palestinians deported by Israel to Lebanon should be resolved - specifically, by allowing their return - all sides have incentives in getting back to the talks.

Only through negotiations can other Arab states and Israel hope to emulate the progress made nearly 15 years ago in the Camp David accords. Those accords established peace between Israel and Egypt, and involved the return of the Sinai to Egypt and recognition by Egypt of Israel's right to exist.

The two countries have since shown that cordial relations can be maintained.

Clearly, it's time for other Arab states and Israel to follow suit, again based on the land-for-peace formula.

As well, negotiations offer the Palestinians an out from the harsh conditions of occupation and point them in the direction of self-rule.

Too many people, both Palestinian and Israeli, have died as a direct result of tensions surrounding the occupation.

Although the violence can't be expected to end immediately, each successful round of talks raises higher the hope for a day - ideally, not too far off - when an enduring peace will be possible.